Hocus Pocus

On April 7, 2009, officially opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street). The transition from off-Broadway to Broadway was not simple. The show had to scale up: bigger sets, a larger band, and a cast that could both sing like rock gods and act like cartoon characters.

Nothin' But a Good Time: Why 'Rock of Ages' Is the Ultimate Broadway Party

But nobody came for the plot. They came for the moment when the entire theater lights up during "The Final Countdown," or when the whole cast harmonizes on "We Built This City on Rock and Roll."

The Rock of Ages musical features a book and lyrics by Douglas Carter Beane and Robert Lopez, and music by Alan Menken. The show's score is a loving tribute to the iconic sounds of the 1980s, with hits like "Don't Stop Believin'," "Like a Virgin," and "Take My Breath Away." The music is catchy, memorable, and sure to get stuck in your head. The show's big numbers, like "Rock of Ages" and "Any Time Any Place," are sure to get the audience on their feet and dancing.

The original Broadway cast included:

The success on Broadway spawned a massive global franchise, including:

If you want to prepare for a future viewing, buy a pair of ripped jeans, practice your air guitar, and memorize the lyrics to "Any Way You Want It." You’ll fit right in.

Why did a musical about hair bands survive on Broadway for six years, outlasting more "serious" shows?

Fun fact: The Broadway production used a live five-piece band, hidden above the stage. The musicians wore wigs and spandex.

Since its off-Broadway inception in 2005, its move to Broadway in 2009, and its subsequent life as a Hollywood movie and global touring sensation, Rock of Ages has become a cultural landmark. For fans of arena rock, it is a pilgrimage. For tourists, it is a party. For Broadway purists, it is a guilty pleasure that refuses to die.

The original Broadway production closed in 2015, but is far from dead. Here’s its current life:

The phenomenon proved that Broadway didn’t always have to be elegant or refined. Sometimes, it just needs to be loud, silly, and heartfelt. For six glorious years, the Brooks Atkinson Theatre was transformed into a sweaty, glitter-covered rock club where everyone was welcome—the theater nerd, the classic rock dad, the bachelorette party, and the tourist looking for a good time.

If you ever wanted a Broadway show that felt more like a stadium concert than a quiet night at the theater, Rock of Ages is your soulmate. Since its debut on Broadway in 2009, this five-time Tony Award-nominated smash hit has been proving that the 80s never really died. The Story: Sunset Strip Dreams